Latest News

Jenna Penman is our first signing of the summer.

The Scottish youth international defender came through the ranks at Dundee United, impressing in the City of Discovery before joining SWPL2 promotion-chasers Aberdeen.

Capable of operating at the right or centre of defence, Penman then guided the Dons to the 2020/21 SWPL2 league title, before making the switch to Hibernian the following year.

The defender soon traded Leith for Gorgie in the summer of 2022, joining Head coach Eva Olid at local rivals Hearts. The 21-year-old made 34-appearances across two seasons in the Scottish capital, including a Hampden Park appearance in the Scottish Cup final.

“I am delighted to be joining Motherwell,” Jenna Penman said.

“When I spoke to Paul and Leanne, it was evident that the ambition and ethos of the club was exactly in line with my ambitions.

“Motherwell is a great place for me to develop and I am very excited to get started.”

Penman has represented Scotland across a variety of age categories, making 9-appearances throughout her time within the international ranks.

“Jenna will bring real quality to our backline,” head coach Paul Brownlie added.

“She is someone I’ve known for several years and has caught my eye with some impressive performances against us last season.

“Jenna is a very versatile defender, has real quality in possession but also loves to defend. She’s exactly the player I wanted to add to the squad.”

The Board of Directors of Motherwell FC have had further discussions with Erik & Courtney Barmack (Wild Sheep Sports) in relation to their proposed investment into MFC.

Both parties have considered all feedback received to date during the on-going consultation period.

Consequently, it has been agreed to amend the investment proposal as follows:

1. The new proposal is that at the end of the 6-year investment period, the Well Society remain the majority shareholder in MFC with 50.1% shareholding.

As a result, Wild Sheep Sports shareholding reduces to 47% from the original proposal. The balance of shares would still remain with the existing other shareholders.

Therefore, Fan Ownership is guaranteed with the Well Society remaining the majority shareholder by itself.

2. The 50.1% majority shareholding of the Well Society would be achieved by converting half of the debt that was going to be removed in year 6 into shares for the Well Society.

Therefore, the increase in the Well Society shareholding would not require the Well Society to invest any additional sums to the original proposal.

3. The new proposal also reduces the buyback amount from £660k to £630k, making it easier for the Well Society to exercise the call option should they feel that Wild Sheep Sports is not adding strategic value to the Club.

Should any shareholder or Well Society member require any further information please contact shares@motherwellfc.co.uk or members@thewellsociety.uk.

Voting will commence on the 8th July, with MFC shareholders and Well Society members receiving further information on how to do so in due course.

Sarah Gibb, Rebecca Cameron and Laura McCartney have extended their stay at the club after agreeing a contract extension.

Midfielder Laura McCartney will remain with the women of steel for a fourth consecutive season after initially signing on loan in 2021 before making the move permanent last summer.

Recent 2023 acquisitions Sarah Gibb and Rebecca Cameron will commit to their second season in claret and amber after signing on a permanent basis from Glasgow City and St. Johnstone respectively last term.

“This is another positive step in our preparations for the forthcoming season,” Head coach Paul Brownlie said.

“Sarah has settled really well into the squad and has developed her game as the season has progressed. I’m excited to see that progression continue this season.

“Laura has had a tough time with injuries, and getting her back in action was a significant milestone. The season ahead is the perfect opportunity for Laura to find regular first-team action.

“Rebecca has had to bide her time for an opportunity, with Emily performing to a high standard, but when called upon, Rebecca has impressed myself and the rest of the coaching staff. Competition for places is key and crucial to driving high standards on the pitch.”

Gibb cemented her place at the core of the Motherwell midfield over the entirety of her maiden SWPL campaign, featuring on 30-occasions, with the youngster capable of playing in a variety of positions, providing versatility within the Motherwell midfield.

“I’m so happy here,” Gibb explained.

“There’s nowhere else I’d want to be. I want to be apart of the club and try to reach the next level with this group of players. The staff have been excellent with me and have made me feel really valued at the club.”

The return of Laura McCartney from a serious long-term injury – that ruled the midfielder out of action for over two-years – positively influenced the depth of talent in the Motherwell backline. As the squad prepare for the forthcoming season, McCartney will be determined to regain the early signs of momentum shown in a Motherwell shirt.

“I can’t wait for the season to start,” McCartney emphasised.

“Returning to competitive action after an extensive amount of time on the sidelines was a real milestone moment for myself last season and pre-season will be the perfect time for myself to continue that return to regular match action.”

23-year-old shot stopper Cameron closely-fought fellow teammate Emily Mutch for a place in the Motherwell goal, impressing in an inspired performance over eventual league champions Celtic.

“Last season was a really good introduction to the squad and the club as a whole,” Cameron explained.

“Emily and myself have really pushed each others standards which has been a very positive and healthy competition for places. Extending my time at the club for the season ahead is exciting for myself personally and I can’t wait to get started.”

Kicking off October was the announcement that Hughie Ferguson was the first 2024 inductee into the Hall of Fame. With 284 goals in his time at Fir Park, the Motherwell legend would be the first of five new inductees. 

Harry Paton was named in the Canadian squad for the first time since 2021, as Canada travelled to Japan for a friendly match.

We got to know a little more about Dan Casey away from football and his journey to where he is today, as we took a visit to his house for the afternoon.

There was also special insight from the training pitch, as we get a look at what a first-team goalkeeping training session looks like.

There was a delayed return to the cinch Premiership action for Motherwell as the trip to St Johnstone was put on hold due to weather warnings put in place.

Martyn Corrigan and Bobby Ancell were our second and third inductees in the Hall of Fame.

21 days after their last game, the players got back into the thick of the action with a thrilling 3-3 draw with Ross County at Fir Park, thanks to two stoppage times goals, with Luca Ross scoring his first professional goal.

The month was rounded off with the news that Brodie Spencer had been named player of the month for October after his fine displays impressed supporters.

Filip Stuparevic has finalised his move to Motherwell on a two-year deal, with the club having an option of a further year.

The 23-year-old Serbian forward made his Serbian top-flight debut at the age of 15 with Voždovac. That appearance in July 2016 meant he became the youngest player to ever play in the Serbian first tier.

After a year of development, he scored his first goal for the club at the age of 16.

He enjoyed two seasons at Voždovac, making over 35 appearances and scoring two goals before Watford secured his signature. It was reported that the likes of Valencia and Juventus were also looking to sign the forward.

The Premier League side signed the then 18-year-old, in a reported multi-million pound deal, but he remain on loan Voždovac, where he made a further 31 appearances, scoring eight goals.

In his second year as a Watford player, he joined Příbram in the Czech Republic for six months before returning to Voždovac for the second half of the campaign.

Stuparevic left Watford in 2021 to join Serbian side Metalac Gornji Milanovac where he netted five in 28 games across all competitions.

A short spell with United Arab Emirates side Al Urooba would come next before he joined Domžale in Slovenia.

Last season, he scored seven goals in 23 games in all competitions and became a real fan favourite. With his deal expired, the Slovenian side offered Stuparevic a new deal but an agreement could not be made.

Now he moves to Scotland looking for the next step in his career.

“With over 100 games played in the Serbian top-flight, I think you can see he has experience,” manager Stuart Kettlewell said.

“He had a really successful start to his football career and burst onto the scene. I think when you have teams in the Premier League and teams like Juventus interested in you, it shows us all the talent Filip has.

“Filip had a really good season last year and having watched all his games, I know the type of player we’re getting. He has real flair and can do a lot of good when on the pitch.

“I think everyone will see he can score, assist and work hard.”

Callum Slattery has signed a contract extension with the club.

The midfielder has put pen to paper on a one-year deal, with club holding the option of a further year.

“It’s so good to continue my stay here,” Slattery added.

“I’m thankful to the club for the faith and trust they have shown. I know I can get back to the levels I’ve shown before and more.

“My focus is now just getting fit and getting back out there. I’m really missing playing in front of everyone at Fir Park. I will continue my recovery and look forward to seeing everyone again soon.”

Slattery first joined Motherwell in 2021, and has gone on to make 94 appearances thus far. He suffered a serious knee injury in training back in January and has been sidelined since.

On track for what he claims was going to be one of his best seasons in his career, Slattery continues his recovery during the off-season.

“Callum’s injury was a setback for the team but also for him personally,” manager Stuart Kettlewell said.

“He had been playing regularly, scoring goals and helping the team. His confidence was high and I was gutted for him when he picked up the injury.

“However, there is no doubt in my mind that Callum will get back to that level of performance when he returns. So, for that reason, we’re delighted that we have agreed a deal with him.

“His recovery is going well and he’s working hard behind the scenes.”

Tara McGonigle, Morgan Hay and Katie Andrews will all depart the club following the expiry of their contracts.

McGonigle and Hay both traded ML3 for ML1 last summer, as the pair departed local rivals Hamilton for claret and amber. However, both couldn’t establish a consistent place in the starting XI and were loaned out to SWPL2 survival hopefuls Gartcairn. The duo played a fundamental role in lifting Gartcairn from the foot of the SWPL2 league table to an eventual sixth-placed finish.

Shot-stopper Katie Andrews joined the women of steel at 16-years-old from Queens Park in 2021 and spent three seasons with the women of steel including two loan spells at Gartcairn and Glasgow Women respectively.

We thank Tara, Morgan and Katie for their efforts at Motherwell and wish them all well for the future.

Stuart Kettlewell has added Zach Robinson to his squad ahead of the new season. 

The former Dundee and Wimbledon striker has signed a two-year deal with the club.

“It’s pleasing to see another new face at the club,” manager Stuart Kettlewell said.

“Getting so much business complete early on gives us a real base to work with.

“Zach is still young but has good experience of football in Scotland. He knows where the back of the net is and he adds more options for us up the top end of the park.”

Robinson is a product of the AFC Wimbledon academy, breaking into the first-team in 2019. Throughout his five years with Wimbledon, he has enjoyed a number of loan spells with the likes of Basingstoke, Leatherhead, Woking, Hemel Hempstead and Hampton and Richmond.

After these successful loans, he signed a new two-year deal with AFC Wimbledon before joining Dundee in the Championship as they looked to bounce back to the top-flight. During his first season at the Dee, he scored eight goals in 19 games and was recalled by his parent club in January.

He returned to Dundee shortly after and continued where left off. Leading the line as Dundee stormed to the Championship title, the 21-year-old finished on 12 goals in 29 games during the league campaign.

In the summer of 2023, he returned to Dens Park for another season-long loan where despite injury and limited minutes, scored six goals in all competitions, one of which was against Motherwell back in the 3-3 draw at Fir Park in December.

He left AFC Wimbledon at the end of the season, having been there since 2017 and joins Motherwell for the next two seasons.

“I’m really happy to be here,” Zach Robinson added.

“I’ve only heard good things about the club from people that I’ve talked to. Everyone I have met has been great and it just makes the move so much easier.

“I feel like I’ve got more to give and this seems like the perfect place to do so with all the excellent staff that are at the club.”

Ross Tierney has departed the club joining Irish side Bohemian F.C. for an undisclosed fee. 

The 23-year-old made 38 appearances, scoring four goals since joining the club in 2021.

Scoring against both Rangers and Celtic, and netting a last minute equaliser against St Mirren, Tierney was part of the side that clinched European football in the 2021/22 season.

Tierney went out on loan last season to League Two side Walsall and made 35 appearances down in England.

He now joins his former team Bohemian for a second spell.

The club thanks Ross for his service and wishes him all the very best in the future.

Ross Callachan has joined the club on a one-year deal, with an option of a further year. 

The 30-year-old makes the switch to Fir Park after his contract expired with Ross County last month.

“I’m delighted to have Ross at the club,” Manager Stuart Kettlewell said.

“He’s been unfortunate over the past year with certain injuries that forced an extended spell on the sidelines, but Ross has recovered well and is ready to kick on this season.

“Ross is an experienced professional especially throughout Scottish football, and we believe he can really add quality to our midfield.”

“I can’t wait to get back onto the pitch,” Callachan said.

“Last year was a tough season for myself personally, but my recovery has gone to plan and the opportunity to play for Motherwell was something I simply couldn’t turn down. This feels like the perfect next step in my career.”

Centre midfielder Callachan represented Raith Rovers at youth level before joining their first-team in 2010, making his senior debut at the end of the 2010/11 season.

After seven appearances the following season, he spent some time out on loan with Mussleburgh Athletic.

He then became a regular feature for Raith Rovers in the seasons that follow and accumulated over 160 appearances before moving to Hearts for an undisclosed fee in 2017.

In his only season in Edinburgh, he made 25 appearances, scoring four goals before switch to St Johnstone.

After 18 months at McDiarmid Park, he made a loan move to Dens Park in the January of 2020. His short stint in Dundee would be tainted with injury as the midfielder suffered a leg fracture and only made four appearances.

Once football returned following the Covid-19 lockdown, he joined Hamilton Accies in the Premiership. He spent one season at Hamilton, where he was a shining star in the side that were eventually relegated. He scored 10 goals from the middle of the park and come the end of the season, interest was high.

Ross County eventually won the race for his signature and he moved to Dingwall in the summer of 2021. In his first season, Callachan became an integral part of the Staggies’ side that went on secure top-six status. His initial two-year deal was extended by a further two years, which kept him at the club until 2024.

He had made 28 appearances the following season, 22/23, before he ruptured his ACL in a match against Celtic in April 2023. That injury kept him sidelined for over a year before he returned to Ross County’s bench in May 2024.

With 126 Premiership appearances, and 127 Championship, Callachan now returns to Lanarkshire with the Steelmen as he looks to pick up where he left off prior to his injury lay off.